Portable collapsible crib



Aug. 22, 1967 R. LERNER PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE CRIB 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 13, 1966 R o 5 m r E M m m [Z r e w R m u k w x W% w 1=,u- M w 5% h Aug. 22, 1967 R. LERNER PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE CRIB Filed Jan. 13, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet ATTDRNE .5

R. LERNER PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE CRIB Aug. 22, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 13. 1966 INVENTOR Robe/'2 [er/761" United States Patent 3,336,608 PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE CRIB Robert Lerner, Woodmere, N.Y. .Iohm-EE Seat Corporation, 47 25th St., Long Island City, N.Y. 11101) Filed Jan. 13, 1966, Ser. No. 520,335 2 Claims. (Cl. -99) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A shallow rectangular baby crib with bottom, side and end walls and a pair of collapsible and extensible side flaps and end flaps adapted to be erected and joined providing a compartment for a baby and adapted to be collapsed and joined for storage and transportation. A flexible plastic skin covers the walls and flaps. A handle is provided for carrying the crib when collapsed and a mattress for supporting the baby in the crib.

This invention relates to new in a babys crib.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a babys crib that is collapsible into a compact mass for readily transporting the crib, that is simple in construction, attractive in appearance and that can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a crib with hinged side and end flaps wherein the hinges are formed by the material of the cover of the crib.

Another object according to a modification is to provide a babys crib with rocker members for rocking the crib, the rocker members being detachable and adapted to be mounted on the body of the crib for enhancing the appearance of the crib.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of a crib embodying one form of the invention, a baby being shown therein and useful improvements FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the blank from which the crib of FIG. 1 is formed.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the crib partly collapsed.

FIG. 3a is a sectional view taken on the line 3a-3a of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of one end of the crib showing the end flap partly collapsed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the crib fully collapsed.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a crib embodying a first modified form of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the handle of the crib of FIG. 6 shown flattened out.

FIG. 8 is a detail top perspective view of the mounting strip for the snap elements.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of one end of a crib embodying a second modified form of the invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 1111 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of a fragment of a crib embodying a third modified form of the invention, parts being shown broken away and'parts in section.

FIG. 13 is a disassembled bottom perspective detail view of one end of the crib of FIG. 12.

3,336,608 Patented Aug. 22, 1967 FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of one end of a crib embodying a fourth modified form of the invention, showing the runner in detached position.

FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 14 showing the rocker in attached operative position.

Referring in detail to the various views of the drawings, in FIG. 1 a babys crib 10 embodying One form of the invention is shown with an infant therein. The crib has a shallow rectangular shaped body 12 composed of a base or bottom panel 14, side panels 16, 16 disposed at right angles to the base or bottom panel 14, and end panels 18, 18 disposed at right angles to the base or bottom panel 14. A flexible mattress 20 is removably supported on the top surface of the base or bottom panel 14.

In accordance with the invention, side flaps 22, 22 are hingedly connected to the side panels 16, 16 and end flaps 24, 24 are hingedly connected to the end panels 18, 18 thereby providing a relatively deep body capable of supporting and enclosing and protecting an infant as shown in FIG. 1. The side flaps 22, 22 are formed with integral flap extensions 26, 26 at both ends overlapping the end flaps 24, 24. The panels and flaps are formed of semirigid cardboard or semi-rigid plastic material, such as Masonite.

The panels, flaps, flap extensions and straps are covered with or enveloped by a thin flexible plastic skin cover 30 on both opposed surfaces thereof. The hinged connection between the base 14 and the side panels 16 are constituted by folding the flexible plastic skin cover material into semi-oval shape, heating and pressing such folded material thereby forming permanent spaced beads 32 forming hinge structures for the major portion of the juncture between the base 14 and side panels 16, the remainder of the connection as indicated at 34 being constituted by the smooth flexible material of the cover 30.

The hinge connection between the side panels 16 and the side flaps 22 are similar to the hinge connection between the base 14 and side panels and comprise beaded structures 35 similar to beads 32 and smooth portions 37 of the cover 30.

The hinge connection between the base 14 and the end panels 18 are similarly constructed forming single hinge beads 36, the opposed smooth skin material of the cover constituting the remainder of the hinge connections at the ends as indicated at 38. The hinge connection between the end panels 18 and the end flaps 24 are similar to the hinge connections between the base 14 and the end panels 18 comprising a single bead structure 39, the remainder of the connection constituted by the opposed smooth skin material of the cover as indicated at 41.

The hinge connection between each side flap 22 and its adjacent flap extension 26 is a similarly constructed beaded structure 40 and similar opposed smooth skin material of the cover as indicated at 42. Rectangular shaped straps 43 formed integrally with the plastic skin material of the cover 30 at the ends of the side panels 16.

The preformed and covered blankfrom which the crib 10 is formed is shown in FIG. 2.

. Fastening means are provided for securing the flaps and flap extensions in extended operative position as shown in FIG. 1 and in collapsed position for transporting as shown in FIG. 5. For this purpose, male snap fastener elements 44 are suitably secured to the outer surface of the end flaps 24 at the corners thereof, and complemental female snap fastener elements 46 are suitably mounted on the flap extensions 26 for coacting with the male snap fastener elements 44 on the end flaps as best seen in FIG. 4. Thesnap fasteners 44 and 46 hold the flaps in erected position as shown in FIG. 1. Male snap fastener elements 48 are also mounted along the outer surface of the end panels 18 for coacting with the female snap fastener elements 46 on the flap extensions 86 for holding the parts in folded collapsed condition as shown in FIG. 5. The straps 43 are folded inwardly over the inner surface of the side panels 16 and secured thereto by rivets 45 for reinforcing the side panels.

Openings 50 are formed in the end flaps 24 adjacent the free end thereof to receive the fingers of the hand of the operator for lifting the crib.

A strap handle 52 is flexibly secured to one of the side panels 16, for instance, the rear side panel as viewed in FIG. 1 by means of tubular bearing members 54 fixed to the side panel and metal rings 56 pivoted thereto and to the handle 52.

In FIGS. 6 to 11, inclusive, modified means for mounting the snap fastener elements on the end flaps 24' and flap extensions 26' is shown as well as modified means for mounting the strap handle 52. Instead of mounting the male snap fastener elements 44' directly onto the end flaps 24, a rectangular plastic strip 50 is fastened on the outer surface of each end flap 24' at each end thereof by means of adhesive 52 on one surface of the strip. A similar strip 54 is similarly secured to the adjacent flap extension 26' for carrying female snap fastener elements 46' for coacting with the snap elements 44, when the crib is in erected position as shown in FIG. 6. The snap fastener elements 46 coact with the male snap fastener elements 48' on end panels 18' when the crib is in collapsed condition as shown in FIG. 11.

In FIGS. 12 to 16, inclusive, a fragment of a crib embodying another modified form of the invention is shown. The crib 10" differs from crib 10 of FIG. 1 in that rocker members 64 are mounted on the bottom panel or base 14" of the crib so that the crib may be rocked to and fro on a horizontal supporting surface. The base 14" is also provided with a series of spaced male snap fastener elements 66 at each end thereof, and each end flap 24" is provided with a series of spaced snap fastener units 68 with male snap fastener elements on both sides thereof adjacent the top edge thereof.

The rockers members 64, each comprises a solid block 70 of wood, plastic or other suitable material having flat side surfaces 72, a flat top edge 74 and a curved bottom edge 76 as viewed in FIG. 12. The flat top edge 74 of the block is fastened to an assembly of three aligned rectangular shaped slats 78, 80 and 82 of cardboard or Masonite material covered by a thin flexible plastic material 84, the material of the cover 84 serving as hinges between the slats as indicated at 86.

The block 70 is fastened to the cover 84 over the intermediate slat 80 by adhesive 88. A series of snap fastener units 90 is supported by the slat 78 with female snaps positioned on both sides thereof, and similar snap fastener units 92 are supported by the slat 82 with female snaps positioned on both sides thereof.

In assembling, the slat 82 of the slat assembly is placed underneath the base 14" and fastened to the snap fastener elements 66 on the base by means of the snap fastener elements 92 with the block 70 depending from the base and with the slat 78 upturned and fastened to the snap fastener elements 48" on the adjacent end panel 18" by means of the snap fastener elements 90. The rocker members 64 providing means for rocking the crib to and fro on a horizontal supporting surface.

The rocker members 54 may be readily removed by disengaging the snap fastener elements and when removed may be readily mounted on the top end edge of the end flaps 24" by folding the end slats 78 and 82 downwardly in parallel spaced relation as seen in FIG. 14 and then inserting the rocker member downwardly as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 14 to position shown in FIG. 16, the hinge connections permitting the slats to be positioned over the edges of the end flaps and the female snap fastener elements on the units 90 and 92 pressed into fastening engagement with the male snap fastener elements 68 on the end flaps. As seen in FIG. 16, the rocker members enhance the appearance of the crib.

In all other respects, the crib 10" is similar to crib 10 and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A babys crib comprising an elongated rectangular shaped body with a base, side and end panels hingedly connected to the base, the top of the body being open, side and end flaps hingedly connected to the side and end panels, flap extensions hingedly connected to the end of the side flaps, a thin flexible plastic cover enveloping the base, panels, flaps and flap extensions, means for removably securing the panels to each other in erected position, means for removably securing the flap extensions to the side flaps in erected position, means for removably securing the flaps to the end panels in collapsed condition for transportation, a strap handle mounted on one of the side panels, the end flaps having holes forming hand grips for lifting the crib, the mounting for the handle including cross straps on said one side panel, said one side panel having slots therein under the cross straps, the handle having its end slidable in the slots and heads on the end of the handle underneath the cover of the crib, the means for securing the panels to each other in erected position consisting of female snap fastener elements on the flap extensions, and strips on the end flaps adjacent the flap extensions and male snap fastener elements on the strips coacting with the female fastener elements.

2. A babys crib comprising an elongated rectangular shaped body with a base, side and end panels hingedly connected to the base, the top of the body being open, side and end flaps hingedly connected to the side and end panels, flap extensions hingedly connected to the end of the side flaps, a thin flexible plastic cover enveloping the base, panels, flaps and flap extensions, means for removably securing the panels to each other in erected position, means for removably securing the flap extensions to the side flaps in erected position, means for removably securing the flaps to the end panels in collapsed condition for transportation, rocker members removably mounted on the base at the ends thereof, said members each including a block having a carved bottom edge, a slat assembly connected to the top edge of the block, said assembly including three aligned slats, a plastic flexible cover over said slats hingedly connecting the slats, female snap fastener elements carried by the end slats, the fastener elements of one slat detachably connected to the male fastener elements on the base adjacent its end, the fastener elements of the other slat detachably connected to male fastener elements on the base adjacent its end, the fastener elements of the other slat detachably connected to the male snap fastener elements on the adjacent end panel, said rocker members adapted to be detachably mounted on the top edge of the end flaps when removed from the base.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,734,556 2/l956 Hebrank 297382 X 2,950,484 8/1960 Iaffe 598 X 2,954,635 10/1960 Stotter 52 3,235,890 2/1966 Zalicovitz 599 X FOREIGN PATENTS 473,882 8/1952 Italy.

QASMIR, A, NUNBERG, Primary Examiner. 

1. A BABY''S CRIB COMPRISING AN ELONGATED RECTANGULAR SHAPED BODY WITH A BASE, SIDE AND END PANELS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO THE BASE, THE TOP OF THE BODY BEING OPEN, SIDE AND END FLAPS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO THE SIDE AND END PANELS, FLAP EXTENSIONS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO THE END OF THE SIDE FLAPS, A THIN FLEXIBLE PLASTIC COVER ENVELOPING THE BASE, PANELS, FLAPS AND FLAP EXTENSIONS, MEANS FOR REMOVABLY SECURING THE PANELS TO EACH OTHER IN ERECTED POSITION, MEANS FOR REMOVABLY SECURING THE FLAP EXTENSIONS TO THE SIDE FLAPS IN ERECTED POSITION, MEANS FOR REMOVABLY SECURING THE FLAPS TO THE END PANELS IN COLLAPSED CONDITION FOR TRANSPORTATION, A STRAP HANDLE MOUNTED ON ONE OF THE SIDE PANELS, THE END FLAPS HAVING HOLES FORMING HAND GRIPS FOR LIFTING THE CRIB, THE MOUNTING FOR THE HANDLE INCLUDING CROSS STRAPS ON SAID ONE SIDE PANEL, SAID ONE SIDE PANEL HAVING SLOTS THEREIN UNDER THE CROSS STRAPS, THE HANDLE HAVING ITS END SLIDABLE IN THE SLOTS AND HEADS ON THE END OF THE HANDLE UNDERNEATH THE COVER OF THE CRIB, THE MEANS FOR SECURING THE PANELS TO EACH OTHER IN ERECTED POSITION CONSISTING OF FEMALE SNAP FASTENER ELEMENTS ON THE FLAP EXTENSIONS, AND STRIPS ON THE END FLAPS ADJACENT THE FLAP EXTENSIONS AND MALE SNAP FASTENER ELEMENTS ON THE STRIPS COACTING WITH THE FEMALE FASTENER ELEMENTS. 